MARKED PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22887, 16 November 1937, Page 13

MARKED PROGRESS

ITALY AND GERMANY

HAPPINESS OF PEOPLES IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR The view that Italy and Germany, and particularly the hitter, were developing on a more progressive basis than they were given credit for by other nations was expressed by Mr. \Y. A. Taafl'e in an address to the weekly luncheon of the Auckland Rotary C'lub, held in Milne and Choree's Reception Hall yesterday. Giving his impressions of sj. recent world tour, Mr. Taafl'e said he found Italy an entirely different place from what he expected. Kvervono appeared to be happy, in spite of an economic system which other countries disfavoured. "But what does it matter," asked Mr. Taafl'e, "what sort of a. money system there is so long as the people are happy?" In Germany the feature that impressed the visitor was the love of the people for their leader. Important advances were being made in science and research, in spite of the militaristic atmosphere of the coun'rv, said Mr. Taafl'e, who went on to refer to his great admiration for England and the attitude toward life of the "underdog." "Almost everywhere I went," continued Mr. Taafl'e,. "I observed how much nations arc divided into the two sections of wealth and without. The worst conditions in this connection are in America, but there appears to bo a tendency toward, being more appreciative of the other fellow, and we in New Zealand should guard against such unhappy divisions becoming seriously marked."

Speaking of other countries visited, Mr. Taaffe referred to the amazing change toward western civilisation in Turkey and the suppression of ancient Oriental splendour. Taxi fares in Greece, ho said, were so cheap that a car could be hired for about los a day. It was strange to find the peasants of this country wearing a type of kilt, which most people supposed to bo peculiar to Scotland.